Remarks of Assistant Secretary Redl at the Phoenix Center 2017 Annual US Telecoms Symposium

This is an exciting time to lead NTIA, which plays a vital role in many important areas of telecommunications, including managing federal spectrum use, promoting investments in broadband infrastructure, and developing policies that improve cybersecurity, Internet governance and more. There is much to celebrate when it comes to the Internet, but there are real problems we need to tackle. Many Americans, especially in rural areas, still can't access broadband at the speeds needed to meaningfully participate in the modern economy. Discussions are ongoing in Congress and in the Administration about how to facilitate the roll out of broadband in unserved areas of the country. I look forward to joining these discussions as a member of the Administration. Because I am no stranger to these issues, I know there is much we can do to encourage infrastructure deployment. This Administration is committed to ensuring America remains the global leader in innovation, and ensuring we have the tools across the U.S. economy will be key to our effort. Advanced manufacturing is one key focus area, and we've already moved to streamline permitting and eliminate unnecessary regulations in this space. One of the most effective steps we can take is to address our nation's broadband future is to maximize use of the country's spectrum resources. Wireless technology already plays a major role in providing broadband access, and that role is likely to increase with 5G deployment. The speed and reliability of 5G also should help unlock the promise of smart cities, connected cars, and the broader Internet of Things, an area where NTIA has long been a thought leader. All of these developments point to a promising future. But they also mean continued demand for spectrum.